In the following 10 meetings, however, the winner has had more rushing yards.

In the days leading up to Sunday’s NFC Championship Game in Seattle, defensive players on both teams have stressed the importance of stopping the opposing featured running back, terming it their top priority.

Niners safety Donte Whitner said the plan was to “make the quarterback beat us,” while Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril said the focus was on the 49ers’ bell cow.

In the Seahawks’ last two wins against the 49ers, both in Seattle, Gore has averaged 22 yards and 2.9 yards a carry. In the 49ers’ past two wins, Gore has averaged 120.5 yards, including 86 yards in the second halves of those contests.

Meanwhile, Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch has averaged 104.5 yards and scored five total touchdowns in the Seahawks’ past two wins. Lynch did have 103 yards in a 13-6 loss to the 49ers in 2012, but he was limited to 72 yards and 3.6 yards a carry in December.